GROUP: Utility SIZE: Large ORIGIN: Spain

The Spanish Mastiff is known for its guard and protection instincts for livestock, farms, people and properties in general.

ORIGIN:
The Spanish Mastiff originates from Spain used in seasonal moving of livestock to protect the livestock from wolves and other predators.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Spanish Mastiff is a dog of great size, hypermetic, of medium proportions and of sub-long line structure. Well balanced, very powerful and muscular. Compact bone structure. Massive head and a body covered with a semi-long coat. Most important are balance and functional harmony in the dog standing as well as on the move. His bark is raucous, low pitched and deep, very sonorous, audible from a considerable distance.

His coat is dense, thick, medium length, smooth, distributed all over the body down to the interdigital spaces. Two types of coat are distinguished: covering coat on the back and another protecting type on the ribcage and the flanks. Shorter on the legs, longer and silky on the tail. The colours most appreciated being the self-coloured like yellow, fawn, red, black, wolf colour and deer-colour; also appreciated are the combined colours like brindle, parti-coloured or dogs with a white collar.

SIZE:
There is no upper limit of size, the subjects of greatest size being the ones most highly thought after providing they are of harmonious proportions. Minimum height at the withers for males is 77 cm, while females have a minimum height of 72cm. It is desirable that these measurements be amply exceeded with the size in males should be over 80 cm, and in females over 75cm.

TEMPERAMENT/BEHAVIOUR:
The Spanish Mastiff is a very intelligent dog, not without beauty, whose expression manifests both these qualities. Rustic, affectionate, kind and noble, he is very determined when facing dangerous animals and in front of strangers, especially when he has the opportunity to defend and protect farms or cattle. In his behaviour, one can see it is a dog sure of himself, determining his strength because he is aware of his enormous power.

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